I'm a currently putting the final touches on the last writing assignment for my college English class. In doing so, I realized it's been 21 years since I took my the prerequisite for this class. I am striving for an even higher grade than the one I received on the previous assignment.
I have also found a very inspirational book at the library, in regards to writing fiction. It was printed back in the 90's, but it was just what I needed to focus on daily writing. If you get a chance to visit your library, look for the book titled, The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, written by Jack M. Bickham (© 1992). My library does not have this book, however I was able to inter loan it from one (and only one) area library.
Pioneer Woman at Heart
One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!
One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
Adopted Motto
"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Crocheted Dish Scrubbie ~ Christmas 2009
This is my current project for additional Christmas presents. I am thrilled with the pattern I found in
Monday, November 23, 2009
Christmas Gift Projects ~ Wrist Warmers
I found a super simple pattern on the Internet for these cute wrist warmers. They are actually called fingerless mittens on the pattern. I plan to make more sets with the yarn left over from making slippers. If I can locate the exact link to the pattern, I will add it to this post. I think I will make longer ones for the older girls.
Labels:
Crochet Projects,
Handmade Christmas Gifts
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Finding Muse
I had to laugh when I found out a little tidbit regarding my 15 year-old daughter. We were all sitting in the kitchen talking about pencils. We all have our favorite brand of mechanical pencils. The weird thing was that all of the kids were at the table drawing in their "Doodle" journals. They each took a spiral notebook and their choice of markers or colored pencils. Each of them were doodling random drawings for fun. It was kind of cute to see them all chatting nicely and doodling about nothing in particular.
I found these nice and thick spiral notebooks on clearance for $.50 each. The covers are pretty neat too. When I mentioned that it looked like a lot of fun, my 13 year-old daughter went to the storage area and gave me one too.
"Here Mom you can do one too" she said to me.
Then we started talking about pencils when I asked whose packet of mechanical pencils were on the table. I mentioned my favorite brand, and the one that used to be their favorite too. It's the Paper Mate Clearpoint Click pencil. My 13 year-old daughter said she can get through a school year with just two of those pencils and refill leads. My 15 year-old, who loved them for years, surprised me.
"I don't like those anymore. I like the other kind and I like to use a different colored pencil every day," she said.
That's when I laughed. I thought I was weird when I wrote, but hearing her really made me laugh. I don't think either one of us would feel normal without a pen or pencil in our hands. So in order to find her muse, she uses a different colored mechanical pencil every day.
I found these nice and thick spiral notebooks on clearance for $.50 each. The covers are pretty neat too. When I mentioned that it looked like a lot of fun, my 13 year-old daughter went to the storage area and gave me one too.
"Here Mom you can do one too" she said to me.
Then we started talking about pencils when I asked whose packet of mechanical pencils were on the table. I mentioned my favorite brand, and the one that used to be their favorite too. It's the Paper Mate Clearpoint Click pencil. My 13 year-old daughter said she can get through a school year with just two of those pencils and refill leads. My 15 year-old, who loved them for years, surprised me.
"I don't like those anymore. I like the other kind and I like to use a different colored pencil every day," she said.
That's when I laughed. I thought I was weird when I wrote, but hearing her really made me laugh. I don't think either one of us would feel normal without a pen or pencil in our hands. So in order to find her muse, she uses a different colored mechanical pencil every day.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sluggish Brain
I have discovered on my own, that not exercising truly affects my ability to write creatively. I'm not able to push "worries" from my head, and concentrate on work. So, in an effort to think better, I'm back on the treadmill. The kids have been after me, and now I am after them to exercise. Last night I had to laugh.
They invited me to do the Boxing VHS tape with them. I backed out, knowing full well I need to work up to that sort of strain. Funny thing is, they couldn't do it either. I looked over at them, and the video was going through the warm-up, and they were just standing there. I have to say it was pretty funny. The last time I attempted to do that work-out I just about knocked myself out. After they work up to 4 moves I just lose track of the sequence.
The weather is rainy, cold, and dreary today. Another reason to get off my rear and get motivated.
They invited me to do the Boxing VHS tape with them. I backed out, knowing full well I need to work up to that sort of strain. Funny thing is, they couldn't do it either. I looked over at them, and the video was going through the warm-up, and they were just standing there. I have to say it was pretty funny. The last time I attempted to do that work-out I just about knocked myself out. After they work up to 4 moves I just lose track of the sequence.
The weather is rainy, cold, and dreary today. Another reason to get off my rear and get motivated.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Family Photo Albums Galore!
Now that I have spent about three hours working on my English paper, I think I deserve some fun. The sun is shining and the weather is very nice today. I'm not sure what I will be doing yet, but I do know what the kids are doing.
The kids are putting photos into the many photo albums we have. I took my scan disk in to Wal-mart and ordered 500 photos (some were doubles). However, this time the employee really messed them up. They were all completely out of order. This is making it more difficult.
I now have only around 600 photos on the scan disk and have the albums caught up to January of 2009 and it's almost a year later. Sheesh! I really need to get better at developing photos. If my scan disk only held 28, I would be forced to develop them more quickly. But nooooo, it can hold over 1000 photos.
We have the main family photo album, one for each child (where duplicates go), one for gardens, one for scenery photos, one for crafts, one for food and one for renovations (before and after). The kids love looking at their own albums, so it's all worth it. I started each album with photos from when I was pregnant with them to the current date. When they graduate, it becomes a gift to them to keep, along with a hope chest.
The kids are putting photos into the many photo albums we have. I took my scan disk in to Wal-mart and ordered 500 photos (some were doubles). However, this time the employee really messed them up. They were all completely out of order. This is making it more difficult.
I now have only around 600 photos on the scan disk and have the albums caught up to January of 2009 and it's almost a year later. Sheesh! I really need to get better at developing photos. If my scan disk only held 28, I would be forced to develop them more quickly. But nooooo, it can hold over 1000 photos.
We have the main family photo album, one for each child (where duplicates go), one for gardens, one for scenery photos, one for crafts, one for food and one for renovations (before and after). The kids love looking at their own albums, so it's all worth it. I started each album with photos from when I was pregnant with them to the current date. When they graduate, it becomes a gift to them to keep, along with a hope chest.
Labels:
Family,
Family Traditions
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Flocks of Birds and Lots of Droppings
I managed to hang 2 loads of laundry out yesterday. As I typed away on my synthesis draft, I totally forgot about the laundry. I remember seeing a huge flock of birds in the front apple tree, but didn't think twice of it. By evening the birds had landed their droppings on every single thing on the line. Ugh!
The birds might as well have landed droppings on my paper too. It totally bombed the first time the writing center reviewed it for me. I was totally off track in logical flow. I frantically deleted, added, moved stuff around, and sent it off again. I'm still waiting for the review. I'm trying to be patient.
But that's what writers need - composure in handling criticism. We need it to become better writers. If we were perfect the first time, every time, then everyone would want to write for a living. Maybe they already do and have no idea how many drafts it may take to get it right.
"Don't worry Mom. Some day you'll have your book published" said my 17 year-old son as I typed away last night.
I was so flabbergasted at trying to make logical order out of my mess, that I typed right through dinner. At one point I had to grab my shuffle and plug my ears with it. Blasting out the house full of kids in order to keep my thoughts from unraveling.
We'll see what happens today.
The birds might as well have landed droppings on my paper too. It totally bombed the first time the writing center reviewed it for me. I was totally off track in logical flow. I frantically deleted, added, moved stuff around, and sent it off again. I'm still waiting for the review. I'm trying to be patient.
But that's what writers need - composure in handling criticism. We need it to become better writers. If we were perfect the first time, every time, then everyone would want to write for a living. Maybe they already do and have no idea how many drafts it may take to get it right.
"Don't worry Mom. Some day you'll have your book published" said my 17 year-old son as I typed away last night.
I was so flabbergasted at trying to make logical order out of my mess, that I typed right through dinner. At one point I had to grab my shuffle and plug my ears with it. Blasting out the house full of kids in order to keep my thoughts from unraveling.
We'll see what happens today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)